Macklemore Praises SCOTUS Ruling, Acknowledges 'We Have a Long Way To Go'

Today is a historic day for civil rights in America. By declaring DOMA unconstitutional, the Supreme Court has stated that the U.S. Government can no longer deny federal benefits to same sex couples. This means that people like my uncles, who have been in a committed relationship for over 20 years, will now receive the same rights that my parents have. Personally, I feel reconnected to my American identity, and am proud of the progress we have made in recent years. Today gives promise to the hope that we can and will change when our nation isn’t fair and just. It’s a victory not only for the LGBTT community and those rejoicing with friends, family and loved ones, but also a victory for all who devote their lives to fight for what is constitutionally and ethically right.

While today’s ruling was monumental and imperative, we have a long way to go. There are still 37 states in our country that must shift legislation on same sex marriage before equality for same-sex couples is reached. But the real work lies in deconstructing the core of where the fear around same-sex couples comes from. Homophobia and intolerance continue to play a strong role in many households, schools, media and religious institutions in our country. Without directly addressing the real issues and where they stem from, America’s momentum towards justice will be stagnant and insincere.

This ruling gives us all an opportunity to address equality for same-sex couples in our homes, our schools and our social circles. We must continue to have dialogue and discussions around this issue, and push ourselves past the point of what’s comfortable and socially accepted. We, especially those of us whose rights are secure, are challenged to not sit passively in this crucial moment of cultural progress. True change lives in the minds and hearts of the people that make up our country, and must be cultivated, not mandated. We all have a part to play.

Comments

Wow! Just love this guy!

Posted by: Jim | Jun 27, 2013 1:55:50 PM

This guys rocks.

And I love how he pretty much calls out everyone in rap and hip hop culture for being such hypocrites. A genre of music that came from oppression and discrimination have themselves been SO, SO guilty of prejudice and hate against gays.

Rock on, Macklemore.

Posted by: sean | Jun 27, 2013 2:07:14 PM

Poise and intelligence.

Posted by: Mikey | Jun 27, 2013 2:16:34 PM

Dude, I'm playing your "Irish Celebration" right now in solidarity with my USA and Irish brothers.

Those who do not understand his words about tackling homophobia from its core will be quick to claim that some folks are just too "sensitive" and that they see racism everywhere. Whomever introduced one to the world introduced the other. Now let us ALL unite and fight both to their cores.

@Shabaka, offtopic, is that photo real of the soccer player having a major wardrobe malfunction on the field, at your website???? wow!!!! that's.. wow! do you have more? are you still writing?

Posted by: Zeta | Jun 27, 2013 9:29:25 PM

@ZETA.... lolol yes that would be my former crush french soccer player THIERRY HENRY. I actually saw him in person when I was transiting in Paris at the airport coming back here and he's even dreamier in person... Yeah I got more but I moved onto NFL'ers now... LOLOL

okay, what am i missing? this: "We, especially those of us whose rights are secure, are challenged to not sit passively in this crucial moment of cultural progress. True change lives in the minds and hearts of the people that make up our country, and must be cultivated, not mandated. We all have a part to play." is that not pointing out the privilege of his own position, in a self-aware way? and checking it at the door? honestly, i'm looking for education here, not a fight.

@Zeta, watch the "Same Love" video. The guys in the couple, who I figure are his uncles or at least represent them are not both white, and the white guy isn't blond either.

Posted by: Neil | Jun 28, 2013 1:39:36 AM

I think Macklemore singled out his uncles because those are the gay people he knows & loves personally and they were the inspiration for his song. It had nothing to do with them being white. He used their photo for the single and they both have grey/white hair by the way so not blonde.

The Prop 8 & DOMA rulings applies regardless of race so I don't understand what it has to do with white privilege. In fact the most immediate effect it has had is for binational couples, many of whom are people of color.

The deportation case that was halted as the ruling came down was married couple SEan & Steven Brooks, who are an African American man & a Colombian man.